I'm one of those people who thought about getting my navel pierced FOREVER before I actually went through with it. I was probably 16 the first time I really thought about it seriously. At the time, I decided the fight with my parents was not worth it, especially since I would be 18 in just a few years. Well, my 18th birthday came and went. I had gained weight and therefore wasn't comfortable with my body enough to get a piercing, so I waited. This summer I lost 20 lbs, after working my tail of, so I decided I deserved a special treat and that I was ready for my navel piercing. So I started searching the web for information, found BME, did a lot of research and decided it was time and that I could totally handle it. All of the experiences here, helped me know what to expect, what to "demand" of my piercer, etc. This has been an amazing resource for me.
At A Glance Author K-Ra Contact K-Ra@bme.anon When It just happened Artist Tad Studio S.I.C. Tattoo Location Bozeman, MT Bozeman is not exactly a big place, so my options were limited as to where I was going to go for this adventure. I decided to visit S.I.C. Tattoo to ask question, do my research like a good little girl, as I learned here on BME. I went in there and it smelled very clean. This I took as a very good sign. I met the piercer, Tad, who was wonderful and very nice. He answered all of my questions, showed me how he cleans all of the equipment, explained to me how he only pierced with rings (due to faster healing times), and told me how much the piercing would cost. Talking with Tad before the day of the piercing put me at ease, so I decided to go back there today to have Tad pierce my navel.
Now, I HATE needles, absolutely hate them. I have been known to pass out over simple shots in my arm. So I mentally prepared myself all week for this afternoon. Three of my closest friends, Jess, Mark, and Meghan went with me. We got to the parlor and Tad said hello (he actually remembered me, which made me SUPER happy). I filled out the paperwork and then went back to the room. Jess went back with me, while Meghan and Mark stood in the door.
Tad put on his gloves, opened the one-time use needle, got the clamp and ring out of the special autoclave bags, and got set up. Then he cleaned my navel marked me, had me check it, and then it was to the chair. I grabbed Jess' hand and didn't look at my stomach at all. He put the clamp on, I know it is suppose to hurt, but it didn't. I didn't feel a thing. Now, Tad doesn't just clamp it, he uses a rubber band so it doesn't close quite as much. It took him just a few seconds to get that set properly. Then it was time ...
Tad told me to take a deep breath in and then to slowly exhale. At that point, the needle went in. It was just a pinch, a quick pinch. Less pain than my ear piercings and less painful than a bee sting. He put the ring in (just a plain silver ring, which actually I really like) and that was it. The whole thing couldn't have possibly taken more than 2 minutes, although a few times it felt a little longer than that. I stood up to enjoy his handiwork in the mirror, was so happy, fell in love with it immediately. Finally, I had that cute little navel piercing that I had wanted for so long. I didn't get dizzy or faint or anything like that. I paid Tad the $40 for the piercing and jewelry (which I thought was so reasonable for the quality of work I received) and tipped Tad $5 dollars for his work. We all left and I was ready to go.
So far its not red or swollen. The upper hole is just a TINY red, but not bad. When I bumped it early it hurt like CRAZY, but it wasn't awful and I was able to stay standing, although I have to admit my stomach flipped and I thought I was going to be sick. Twisting can make it a little sore and driving on bumpy roads is a little iffy, it hurt a bit when I was bouncing.
I got the typical aftercare instructions from Tad after he finished- twice a day with antibacterial soap, sea salt soaks, no alcohol, no hydrogen peroxide, no bath tubs, etc. I plan on following it very religiously. Don't want an infection!
So, the general story is - if you want this piercing go for it, it doesn't hurt, at least it didn't for me, and it is SO adorable and really sexy. It just makes my belly look even better than it did anyway. I would totally recommend Tad at SIC, he did a great job and put me totally at ease. The next piercing I'm planning is to do my ear cartilage in November (when I will have enough money to go for it again.) That's another story though ... Happy piercing!